Beetlejuice in Black and White (and Red)

One of my coworkers today said that I looked like Beetlejuice (wiki link here) in my striped jacket. 

Personally, I think this jacket is way more Jack Skellington (link here) from Nightmare Before Christmas.

• Jacket - Noa Noa; last worn here a year ago, in February 2019
• Blouse - L'Wren Scott's "A Tropical Conversation" FW 2011 thrifted; last seen here in December 2019 with a swooshy 70s skirt
• Skirt - Tribal, thrifted; last worn here just a few weeks ago in February with pink and blue
• Boots - Prepare 2.0 Tracker, Fluevog; last worn here in January with punk plaid and roses

This lovely striped cotton frock coat is one of my once-a-year items - I have quite a few of those!

Despite it not getting worn as much as it used to be, it's far too amazing to leave my closet. I'm totally good with infrequent wearings. Not everything gets worn dozens of times!

Having said that, I have worn it 13 times now, since I bought it for $56.00 back in spring 2010 - I first wore it here for a company Hallowe'en costume party where I won first prize.

The design on the back is embroidered - my coworker Christina positively squealed over this when she saw it.

There's a bit of embroidery over the front pocket as well.

 I only buttoned it up when walking to and from work.

Without the jacket.

My lovely authentic L'Wren Scott designer blouse, and my houndstooth skirt.

I didn't take the jacket off all day, though.

Nor did I wear a coat over this frock coat.

We're close to double digits on temperature, so I only wore a fur boa and wool gloves (they have a lovely little puff of rabbit fur on them).

• Boa - thrifted
• Gloves - vintage, thrifted

The stuff:

My ankle has nearly 100% range of motion now, so I risked wearing...a 1 inch heel. It looks like more, but it's not.

Glittery bling:

I did the same brooch trick as yesterday: pinned this old brooch at the top of the blouse for visual interest.

• Silver/onyx ring - Tocarra, vintage fair
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Pin - c. 2001
• Earrings - thrifted

Lounge-y Loose Leopard

I'm rarely one to wait on wearing new-to-me clothes - I like to make an outfit right away! 

Monday calls for a lounge-y outfit, something comfortable and yet also, "Here I come!"

• Blazer - InWear; last worn here (3rd outfit) in February with silver and stripes for lunch with Betty
• Blouse - Renuar, thrifted; last seen here in January for a trip to the periodontist
• Trousers - Soaked in Luxury; purchased here on the weekend for $11.24
• Shoes - Napoleoni, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) with tulle and velvet for a theatre date in February
• Sleeveless coat (below) - Only, thrifted; last seen here in November 

This orange blazer is a purchase that I've been very happy with. It's a challenge to wear orange and not look like Hallowe'en exploded. Enter: leopard! Definitely not Hallowe'en.

I layered this Victorian-inspired blouse under it - the pin was added at the neckline at the last minute when I realized I needed something there.

Hands in pockets pose - I love the loose, swooshy style of these pants.

They did tend to wrinkle up in the crotch and on my butt, but you couldn't see it with the blazer on.

I wonder how I'll feel about that when I'm wearing just a top with them?

Although these trousers are fall/winter colours, I'll probably keep them out for spring/summer only - they're made of viscose and are very thin.

Outerwear - the "shoulder season" is upon us. I'm likely done with my heaviest winter coats.

This sleeveless coat is so useful for layering over jackets.

• Hat - Edward Mann, vintage 60s, thrifted
• Scarf - Danier, thrifted
• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

These shoes are actually a dark chocolately-burgundy, and went really well with the leopard pattern (matchy!). My ankle has a bit more range of motion, but it'll probably be another week before it's fully healed. Thank you all for your good wishes!

Warm bling:

I like the warm colours of these metals: gold, bronze, copper. Mix your metals!

• Brooch - vintage 60s, Mom's
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Spinner ring - Twang & Pearl
• Bronze ring - P. Sarpaneva, vintage 1970s, vintage expo
• Earrings - LA Express, c. 1994

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Cobalt and Swoosh; Blue and Booted; Picador Brunch; Bark Walk; Cat Love

I'm back! I hope you're all having a wonderful and relaxing weekend. 

This is Friday's outfit - most of my outfits this weekend were based around easy shoes, as I twisted my ankle badly on Thursday and it's slightly swollen. I have walking ability, but I'm being really careful.

• Sweater - Beechers Brook, vintage 90s, thrifted; purchased here for $7.95
• Skirt - Zara, consignment; first worn here in December 2019 with teal bookends
• Shoes - Seychelles; last seen here (3rd outfit) with black and cream in February
• Leather trenchcoat (below) - vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here in February

I wanted to wear this swooshy wrap skirt again, and since my teal vintage sweater that I wore with it last time recently hit the dust, I just repeated the formula (print + solid) only with cobalt blue.

 Not much to it, really.

 It was another busy day - seems like they all are, lately! - but it went fast.

Yeah, I am ready for a weekend.

Outerwear - I was ready for rain, and it ended up pouring by the end of the day.

I was actually prepared for it!

• Hat - vintage 60s, thrifted
• Scarf - gift from Mom, Italy
• Gloves - Danier Leather

The stuff:

These are comfy shoes - good for running around.

• Necklace - vintage, thrifted
• Gold hoops - 5th anniversary gift from L
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Ball bracelet - Butler Fifth Avenue Collection
• Leather/chain bracelet - local

While I was getting ready in the morning, Vizzini kept trying to lead me off for cuddles.

"just stay home and let me sleep on you all day."

I'd love to, bud, but work calls!

After work, L and I chilled out for a bit a home, and then headed back to town to meet up with our Vancouver friends, Anthony and Laura, for dinner at Zambri's.

I left the same sweater on, but changed up the rest of the outfit.

• Dress - Desigual, London, 2010; last worn here in September 2019 - this is my 25th wearing of it!
• Sweater - Beechers Brook, thrifted; first worn above
• Boots - Ishshoes Chatterbox, Fluevog; last seen here in November 2019 with sunset colours
• Coat (below) - Jeno de Paris, vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here in January

I haven't worn this dress yet this fall/winter season, and this seemed as good a time as any.

 I added sheer blue tights.

I've got my eye on you.

 That never gets old.

I've got a bird on my hip.

See it?

Looking louche.

 And all done up for the rain.

 Lots of colour!

• Hat - vintage 60s, thrifted
• Pashmina - Portolano, thrifted
• Gloves - consignment

The stuff:

Not flats! But we only walked a total of 4 blocks for getting to/from the bus and the restaurant. These boots are a velvet sock style, so there is lots of stretch and support - they're really comfortable, and that inset heel is very squishy rubber.

Mixed bling:

Just some things I like.

• Orange cuff - thrifted
• Resin/silver cuff - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
• Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
• Earrings - vintage fair

On Sunday, Land I went for brunch at Pluto's and then made a few stops in town.

Another item I haven't worn yet this season: my picador skirt! Are you ready for blood and cruelty to animals, 50s-style? Warning: this skirt is "of its time."

• Sweater - Sonia Rykiel, consignment; last seen here (3rd outfit) in December 2019 for my Christmas shopping
• Skirt - handmade, vintage 50s, thrifted; last worn here in April 2019 for a weekend brunch and shop
• Shoes - Aldo, thrifted; last seen here in December 2019 with my Christmas tree skirt
• Coat (below) - Danier Leather; last worn here in December 2019

I usually do a very simple top with this skirt, because it's a LOT.

The skirt has no zipper; the back of it does up with hooks and eyes in the front, and the front of it is knotted in the back.

I grabbed Vizzini for some Forced Lovin'.

"You're warm, that's all, Woman."

I wore a full vintage navy blue slip under this for warmth and to keep the sweater from being fully see-through.

You can see the knot in the back, here below, above the belt.

But you're just dying to see the full print, right?

Are you ready for gore? Here's the picador, bending over his horse. He's in a fine blue suit with red epaulets, and the horse is in padded armour. The picador's staff has poked the bull and made it bleed. Picadors are the guys who rile the bull up for the matadors. Very Hemingway.

This is the 10th wearing of this skirt since I bought it (and first wore it) here in October 2014. I paid $22.99, so I'm at $2.29 per wear on it! I'm really happy with that.

I've been mindful of "Visible Monday" at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style for almost 10 years. This is Patti's last one (no link-up), and I send out thanks to her for hosting these for all this time. What an inspiration!

Outerwear - it was bright and sunny, but still cold and windy.

Should have worn a scarf.

• Gloves - Parkhurst
• Purse - Danier Leather, thrifted

The stuff:

Easy shoes for some slow walking.

Simple bling:

I usually wear primary colours with the skirt.

• Belt - Emmanuel, vintage 80s, thrifted
• Earrings - Tania Gleave, Vancouver
• Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

While L browsed around in the CD store, I had a poke through Dots, which had an extra 25% off all sale prices going on.

I couldn't resist these awesome rust-coloured leopard cropped wide-leg pants.

They were $11.24 with the discount.

Dots original price was $49.99, with the original retail being $89.99.

They also had a ton of tights on sale.

Beige fishnets and soft blue lace, for only $2.24 each. Score!

After a quiet evening at home on Saturday, I was up early for my grocery shopping, and then I met up with my old friend Troy, who is a successful children's book writer - link here 'cause I love.

We walked to the waterfront and along the coastline for a ways, then worked our way back to town and finished with lunch out.

• Sweater - Wanko, thrifted; last seen here in December 2019 with velvet and sparkle
• Skirt - Gunex, thrifted; last worn here in December 2019 with floral cashmere
• Boots - Doc Martens, consignment; last seen here (4th outfit) way back in January 2017!
• Coat (below) - Donna Karen, consignment; last worn here in February

I had my coat on the whole time, except for our quick lunch at the diner.

It was cold and windy, especially on the water, so I was glad of my tights, vintage slip (a cream one this time), and this wool sweater.

I wanted to wear these boots, which I recently rescued from the giveaway pile, where they've been living for the past 6-ish months, after they languished unworn for about a year.

I came around to them again, after resting them for a bit, and I've been wearing them daily walking to and from work (I alternate them with my white floral leather Docs, which are for rainy days).

I chose not to wear a scarf, as I've been hot flashing all weekend. No regrets.

• Gloves - Parkhurst
• Purse - Roots, thrifted

The stuff:

My white leather Docs are getting really worn, but these canvas ones are still holding up well - I've had these since December 2013 (here) and paid $60.98 for them. I've easily worn them a hundred times - I wore them 5 times this past week alone! - walking to and from work over the years.

• Earrings - thrifted

I was a bit early to meet Troy, so I popped into Vanity Fair Antique Mall for a quick browse. Danger, danger! 

I found this amethyst and silver ring - it's the exact same setting as my amber/gold ring up there ^^^ that I wore on Friday.

There's the 925 mark for silver. This was $25.00 - considering how much I wear my amber ring (weekly, at least), I'll get this ring down to pennies per wear in no time.

I also lucked out and found another articulated animal brooch to go with my tiger (here) and my pink salamander (here).

This one was $39.00 and it was labeled an alligator, but after digging around that snout definitely makes this a crocodile.

FYI, the bottom jaw isn't longer than the top jaw; it's just the angle of the picture.

This critter has 12 articulated parts, which are faintly numbered on the back (1-10), with the last two tail pieces not marked. Some poking around leads me to think that this is from the 90s and is a QVC (shopping channel) item.

It has a green stone eye, and dozens of crystals all over it. There are two clasps on the back. Cool!

Vizzini's been hanging about all weekend. I caught him napping on the back of the pillows.

"Just let me sleep, Woman!"

I sit here to watch TV - he's basically sleeping behind my head.

"Your head radiates heat."

I guess it does! Another menopause bonus.

And with that, my friends, it's time for me to go enjoy a few more hours with my family. Thank you so much for stopping by!